India’s embarrassing series loss

New Zealand whitewash India 3-0 to clinch the series. We dissect the carnage

It was one of the most thrilling games team India has played in recent times, perhaps comparable only to the 350-plus chase against Australia four months ago in October. But it was not a match that celebrated consistency, with both teams playing some good cricket and some very bad cricket. So much so, that in the end no one was declared the winner.

New Zealand looked set for a huge total, possibly in excess of 350 runs, which could have put the series beyond India’s control. But as a rarity, the Indian bowling stood up. Thanks to R Ashwin, they got some quick wickets before the 40th over, especially that of hard-hitting Corey Anderson. Even so, the momentum provided by centurion Martin Guptill meant the Kiwis did get to 314 runs. India scored an equal number of runs, thanks to Ashwin again and the hero of the night Ravindra Jadeja. The duo scored at nearly ten runs an over, and it was Jadeja’s power hitting in the end that landed them on the finish line, if not across it.

Embarrassment in Hamilton
For the Hamilton game, MS Dhoni uncharacteristically made numerous changes to the Indian side. Virat Kohli opened the innings, Ajinkya Rahane moved to number three with Ambati Rayudu and Stuart Binny slotting in, at the expense of Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina. The batting stuttered once again, with Dhoni and Jadeja coming to the rescue after Rohit Sharma finally fired to save a complete top-order collapse. But 279 runs were never going to be enough, especially with India’s fragile bowling lineup. Ross Taylor’s hundred made sure that New Zealand wrapped up the win and didn’t keep it to last match of the series.

World Cup Questions
Considering the way this tour has progressed, with India not winning a single game yet, it has raised more questions than delivering answers for the 2015 ODI World Cup. The batting is in tatters, as the openers look out of form. Kohli is burdened by the pressure of carrying his side, while Dhoni is the only other batsman who has consistently scored runs. Rahane is only still settling in at number four, while Rayudu and Binny haven’t been given enough chances. On the other hand, Raina has been given more than his fair share, which has led to the team suffering overall. On the bowling front, while Jadeja is still creating chances with his natural spin, Ashwin is struggling to get going overseas. And the lesser said about the fast bowlers, the better. At this rate, it’s clear that Dhoni’s men will have a gargantuan task defending their title.